1985 VATS Problem
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
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1985 VATS Problem
I have an 85 Vette that I am working on. One day it shut off and the security light is now blinking and it will not start. It will turn over and if you hot wire the fuel pump it will start but it will not stay running cause the VATS has the fuel injectors shut down too. I've read about the resistors you can put in the wiring to bypass the VATS system but I can't find the 2 wires in the steering column that everyone says to splice them into. It was running perfectly fine before the security light started blinking. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
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Yes it's definitely an 85. No it does not have a resistor key. Some places I read that they had it some places I read that they don't. Wether it's VATS or a theft deterrent system it didn't do this until the security light started flashing
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2017
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How do you do the paper clip method. I remember reading about this before but I don't think I did it right
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Team Owner
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Do the horns work NOW? Did they work prior to your recent attempts at repairs? What were you working on? Theft is also powered by I believe the in-line horn fuse. Treat maybe the SECURITY as a different issue for diagnostics and deal with it first. There's reset procedures I'm sure for it in the FSM. Try the RESET procedure in the FSM 1st maybe.
The ECM in '85 is a "one year" build and I believe it actually has a "fuel pump on" requirement to run. Jumper maybe the OPS and try OR maybe just do B+(12V) directly to the G terminal on the ALDL and that should I believe turn pump on and provide TURN ON the ECM wants to see. You said it cranks and runs "momentarily"!
Much maybe depends on WHAT YOU WERE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR when the SECURITY light came on and the run issue followed. Fuel pump relay is a possibility!
The ECM in '85 is a "one year" build and I believe it actually has a "fuel pump on" requirement to run. Jumper maybe the OPS and try OR maybe just do B+(12V) directly to the G terminal on the ALDL and that should I believe turn pump on and provide TURN ON the ECM wants to see. You said it cranks and runs "momentarily"!
Much maybe depends on WHAT YOU WERE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR when the SECURITY light came on and the run issue followed. Fuel pump relay is a possibility!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 28, 2017 at 11:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Do the horns work NOW? Did they work prior to your recent attempts at repairs? What were you working on? Theft is also powered by I believe the in-line horn fuse. Treat maybe the SECURITY as a different issue for diagnostics and deal with it first. There's reset procedures I'm sure for it in the FSM. Try the RESET procedure in the FSM 1st maybe.
The ECM in '85 is a "one year" build and I believe it actually has a "fuel pump on" requirement to run. Jumper maybe the OPS and try OR maybe just do B+(12V) directly to the G terminal on the ALDL and that should I believe turn pump on and provide TURN ON the ECM wants to see. You said it cranks and runs "momentarily"!
Much maybe depends on WHAT YOU WERE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR when the SECURITY light came on and the run issue followed. Fuel pump relay is a possibility!
The ECM in '85 is a "one year" build and I believe it actually has a "fuel pump on" requirement to run. Jumper maybe the OPS and try OR maybe just do B+(12V) directly to the G terminal on the ALDL and that should I believe turn pump on and provide TURN ON the ECM wants to see. You said it cranks and runs "momentarily"!
Much maybe depends on WHAT YOU WERE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR when the SECURITY light came on and the run issue followed. Fuel pump relay is a possibility!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
If the Security light is blinking, I believe the horns should be honking. Can you hear the horn relay clicking behind the center panel of the dash? Something strange here. Is this your car, or are you working on a car with unknown history? Try disconnecting the battery for about 30 seconds to reset the alarm.
That's true. No VATS in the '85.
That's true. No VATS in the '85.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
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If the Security light is blinking, I believe the horns should be honking. Can you hear the horn relay clicking behind the center panel of the dash? Something strange here. Is this your car, or are you working on a car with unknown history? Try disconnecting the battery for about 30 seconds to reset the alarm.
That's true. No VATS in the '85.
That's true. No VATS in the '85.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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***You mention starts - runs a few seconds and dies. Maybe ignition module failing and no distributor reference so ECM isn't energizing the fuel pump relay.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 28, 2017 at 08:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2017
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Just put 12V jumper to G in the ALDL and the pump should run, take the 12V directly from the battery if you like. Do NOTHING with any other terminal - 12V to G in the ALDL. How fast does this car crank? Labors to crank off battery OR at full charge cranks as expected?
***You mention starts - runs a few seconds and dies. Maybe ignition module failing and no distributor reference so ECM isn't energizing the fuel pump relay.
***You mention starts - runs a few seconds and dies. Maybe ignition module failing and no distributor reference so ECM isn't energizing the fuel pump relay.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,349
Likes: 2,726
OP uneed a fuel pressure gauge. they are cheap.
see if its pressurized.
if you find that it is pressurized, we can move fwd.
wich is the part wvzr1 said about icm in dizzy
see if its pressurized.
if you find that it is pressurized, we can move fwd.
wich is the part wvzr1 said about icm in dizzy
Last edited by VikingTrad3r; Jan 29, 2017 at 12:54 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
NOT true. The oil pressure switch is in parallel with the fuel pump relay. It is there in case the fuel pump relay fails.